Flexible Operation of Coal Fired Power Plants with Postcombustion Capture of Carbon Dioxide

Optimization of the various modes of flexible operation for post-combustion CO2 capture plant

“…It is shown that, for the given plant and scenarios, the use of flexible operation mode can lead to significant cost savings (as much as 5.22% of the total cost), even after the capital cost increase is considered. Several researchers have already presented results for the various modes of flexible operation in the past (Chalmers, 2010;Chalmers et al, 2009aChalmers et al, , 2011Chalmers and Jon, 2007;Cohen et al, 2011bCohen et al, , 2012Domenichini et al, 2013;Fyffe et al, 2011;Husebye et al, 2011;Patiño-Echeverri and Hoppock, 2012;Qixin et al, 2010;Wiley et al, 2011;Ziaii et al, 2009). Our work has the following novel features when compared to the previous works.…”

“…In flexible operation, on the other hand, some of the variables can be varied dynamically in response to fluctuating electricity market price in order to meet the electricity demand and improve the overall profit. This can be done, for example, either by reducing the capture level (CO 2 venting, by-passing a part of the flue gas, CO 2 capture level reduction) (Chalmers, 2010;Chalmers et al, 2009aChalmers et al, ,b, 2011Chalmers and Jon, 2007;Cohen et al, 2011bCohen et al, , 2012Fyffe et al, 2011;Khalilpour, 2014a,b;Qixin et al, 2010;Wiley et al, 2011;Ziaii et al, 2009), or by reducing the rate of spent solvent regeneration (e.g., by storing a part or all of the CO 2 rich solvent in a tank and using the already regenerated solvent stored in another tank (Arce et al, 2012;Bui et al, 2014;Chalmers, 2010;Chalmers et al, 2009aChalmers et al, ,b, 2011Chalmers and Jon, 2007;Cohen et al, 2011bCohen et al, , 2012Domenichini et al, 2013;Husebye et al, 2011;Khalilpour, 2014b;Patiño-Echeverri and Hoppock, 2012;Qixin et al, 2010;Ziaii et al, 2009)) during times of high electricity price/demand. These two operation modes are illustrated in Figs.…”

Valuing power plant flexibility with CCS: the case of post-combustion capture retrofits

“…Detailed engineering design for this option does not appear to be available in the public domain at the time of writing. Gibbins and Crane (2004), Haines and Davison (2009) and Chalmers et al (2009) have, however, all reported initial cost estimates for solvent storage tanks and related additional solvent inventory. For example, Chalmers et al (2009) suggested that around 10,000m 3 /hr of solvent storage capacity would be required for 90% CO 2 capture using an MEA-based solvent at an illustrative supercritical coal-fired power plant with a net output of 666MW with capture, allowing a potential rise in output to around 825MW when solvent is stored.…”

“…Gibbins and Crane (2004), Haines and Davison (2009) and Chalmers et al (2009) have, however, all reported initial cost estimates for solvent storage tanks and related additional solvent inventory. For example, Chalmers et al (2009) suggested that around 10,000m 3 /hr of solvent storage capacity would be required for 90% CO 2 capture using an MEA-based solvent at an illustrative supercritical coal-fired power plant with a net output of 666MW with capture, allowing a potential rise in output to around 825MW when solvent is stored. Depending on materials choice, this work suggested that total capital requirement for the capture and compression island (as configured for operation without solvent storage) would be likely to increase by around 10-20% if solvent storage tanks were installed and additional solvent inventory to facilitate 2 to 4 hours of solvent storage was bought.…”

Energy storage in the UK electrical network: Estimation of the scale and review of technology options

“…Large amounts of R-storage are unlikely to be beneficial to fossil-fuel plants with CCS, if their operability is equal to or even enhanced from the current generation of fossil-fuelled plants, indeed, ÒIn the medium to long term it seems likely that ßexible operation of most or all fossil plants could become virtually obligatory in many plausible lower carbon electricity generation mixes in many jurisdictionsÓ [Chalmers et al, 2009]. An overview of the technologies, and likely benefits and disadvantages to operability of coal-fired plants with CCS is provided by…”